California never escapes fire season, and this year it's come earlier than ever with a tangy haze across much of Northern California. An astonishing 800-plus fires are ablaze, mostly in rugged backcountry.

The yellowish sky could be a backdrop for something else: an overdue reappraisal on preventing fires that now cost $869 million per year to fight. It's a bill that's doubled over the past decade.

Another option that could curb this outlay lies in a trio of bills in the state legislature. These measures argue for getting in front of future fires by pushing local communities to better plan growth, build fire-resistant homes and pay for fire prevention.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has made fire awareness a priority, popping up around the state to remind listeners of early-season dangers. In his budget he's asking for fees ranging from $6 to $12 per year on home insurance policies to raise $69.3 million for trucks, helicopters and equipment.

It's an inarguable need for state fire crews responsible for nearly a million homes on 31 million acres of rural land. But it masks a bigger problem: Dozens of counties approve new homes in the hinterlands and hand the ever-increasing fire bill to the state.

That's where three measures, by state Sen. Christine Kehoe, a San Diego Democrat, come in. Though not new in concept, they are landing at an opportune time: Five of the 10 biggest wildfires in state history happened since 2002. This year, Sacramento should be listening.

One bill, SB1500, would oblige counties to provide fire protection in high-risk areas, a directive that would lessen the bill for the state and induce better fire planning. A second, SB1595, would emphasize fire-proofing areas around buildings. The third,, SB1617, would impose a $50 annual fee on all dwellings in hazardous areas to pay for the emergency protection.

The bills face critics who say they add expense and regulation. But California badly needs to update its building and planning policies, not just its fleets of fire trucks and aircraft. The bills should get the attention they deserve as the summer heat builds and fire warnings spread.